Seongguk – Crossroads

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“…Cough. Ja… Jade….”

“Le… Lena?”

“This… cough… this hurts a bit….”

The rationality that had vanished at the sight of the impossible returns.

-Thud.

“Ah….”

Jade released the hilt and collapsed onto the floor.

“What, what have I done….”

It’s incomprehensible.

It was definitely the sword he thrust at Ian, who had insulted him. He vividly remembers Ian’s bewildered expression when the Shield shattered instantly.

‘But why…?’

Jade alternated his gaze between Lena in front of him and his blood-stained hand.

Why is the sword stuck in Lena’s stomach?

Why is Lena bleeding from her mouth and in so much pain?

In fact, the person who knew the reason better than anyone was Jade himself.

It was all… his doing.

Jade asked Lena in a trembling voice.

“…Why. Why on earth did you do this?”

“That’s… cough….”

Lena staggered and then knelt on the floor with a thud.

The only thing that came to Jade’s mind when he saw that was:

[Lena might die.]

Jade was jolted awake by the wave of fear that washed over him.

“Lena!”

Jade rushed to Lena and frantically began to check her condition.

Not to mention the abdomen that the sword had completely pierced, blood continued to flow from her mouth.

Even with his lack of medical knowledge, he could tell at a glance that Lena’s condition was serious.

“W-What should I do….”

He couldn’t pull out the sword right away. If he did, the bleeding would worsen and the situation would become even more critical.

But he couldn’t leave her like this either.

With his mind going blank, Jade flailed his hands around in a panic.

“I have to pull out the sword… no, that won’t do. I need to give her a Potion first. Did, did I bring a Potion? Please, I have to have one….”

“Ja… Jade.”

“Uh, uh?”

Jade stopped rummaging through his pockets and looked at Lena.

Lena’s eyes were gradually closing, and her head was tilting forward.

Startled, Jade hurriedly grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

“No, right? Please, stay conscious!”

“Cough… I’m still okay. This much… I can handle.”

Lena, regaining consciousness, raised her trembling hand and placed it on Jade’s cheek.

“Jade….”

-Smear.

A trail of blood was left where her fingers had passed.

“Sorry, I was… too hasty… doing such a foolish thing….”

“No. No, it’s my fault. I’m sorry. I really… didn’t mean for this to happen.”

“I know. I know you… wouldn’t do that…. I’m trying to… stop you from making any more mistakes…. You mustn’t kill… Ian… cough!”

A mouthful of blood gushed from Lena’s mouth.

Jade’s eyes were shaking madly as he watched.

“Lena, I understand, so please don’t say anything more.”

“S-Sorry… because of my mistake… making things difficult for you again….”

“What on earth….”

Jade’s head was spinning with confusion.

He didn’t understand why Lena had to risk her life to save Ian.

At first, he thought it was to betray him and use Ian.

But Lena said it was to prevent a ‘mistake.’

This didn’t make sense.

-Thud.

Lena leaned her body against Jade. And she began to pat his back with her hand.

“Jade, calm down. I know you’re very… confused right now….”

“…Lena.”

“But… you have to… stay strong. You can do it, right?”

Lena and Jade’s eyes met.

Deep, blue eyes that seemed to contain the sea.

The earnest sincerity and trust within them reached Jade.

‘…She trusts me?’

A gentle ripple was already forming in Jade’s heart. And now, a great whirlpool began to rage.

At this point, a hypothesis that he had absolutely dismissed came to mind.

What if everything Lena said was true?

What if all the suspicions were false accusations?

Then the things he had done to Lena so far…

‘No. At least that’s not what’s important right now.’

Jade shook his head violently.

He may have made an irreversible mistake.

He may never be forgiven for this.

But if Lena died here, everything would be meaningless. The true truth would never be known.

The right thing to do right now was to heal Lena first and then hear the details.

“Cough….”

“Lena, your treatment comes first. Then let’s talk about it slowly.”

“The Hero.”

Just then, Daniel, who had been watching the situation, walked towards Jade.

“Are you alright? You seem quite shocked. This Sinner suddenly intervening has made things troublesome.”

“I’m fine. The problem isn’t me, but… ah!”

Jade’s eyes widened as he realized something as soon as he saw Daniel.

Whether to pull out the sword or not. Whether to use a Potion. All useless worries.

‘You crazy bastard. What are you doing? I can just ask the Priests.’

The place he was in was none other than the Great Temple of the Holy Kingdom. Moreover, Holy Knights, Priests, and even a Cardinal were right next to him.

He had been doing useless things despite having the perfect means of treatment, Divine Power.

Jade felt incredibly stupid for forgetting this simple and important fact.

‘Anyway, it’s a relief. At least there’s no problem with the treatment.’

Now he can save Lena. Relieved, Jade carefully asked Daniel.

“Sir Daniel, could you please treat Lena first?”

“Hmm… The Hero, is it really necessary to do that for a Sinner?”

But Daniel’s reaction was completely different from what Jade had expected.

“Huh? Even so, I can’t just let her die….”

“She’s someone who doesn’t deserve to live anyway. Attempted assassination of the Pope, collusion with Demons, even escaping from prison. Even if we save her here, you know the result. If she goes to trial, it’s the gallows at the very least. Letting her die like this might not be so bad. This might be the best end she could hope for.”

“Still, I would like you to treat her.”

“Hmph….”

Daniel sighed and grabbed Jade’s shoulders tightly. And he said, looking him in the eye.

“The Hero, you must think carefully. I know that this woman is someone with a deep connection to you. But now you know all the truth, don’t you?”

“That’s….”

“It would be best to cut ties cleanly here.”

Even to Jade, there was nothing wrong with what Sir Daniel was saying.

There were already too many things Lena had done to turn back. So much so that even he, as The Hero, couldn’t cover it up.

It might be a better choice to let Lena go here.

But.

Those were all thoughts that could only be considered before Jade’s heart had changed.

Jade had already made one resolution.

‘One by one. I need to check everything.’

There was definitely ‘something’ he was missing, based on the circumstances.

He was going to dig up every little thing that was strange or suspicious about what had happened since he came to the Holy Kingdom.

“Sir Daniel, thank you very much for your advice. But I want to choose a different way to say goodbye.”

“If that’s what you wish, of course, I can heal her. But are you sure?”

“Yes?”

Daniel asked again and pointed behind him with his finger.

Only then did Jade notice the surrounding situation.

‘Everyone is….’

Everyone’s eyes were focused on Jade.

But unlike usual, the Holy Knights and Priests were looking at him with cold eyes.

‘Why are they looking at me like that…?’

Thanks to his status as The Hero, he had only received respect until now. Jade was confused by the looks of hatred and loathing he was receiving for the first time.

After being frozen for a moment, Jade belatedly realized.

‘This isn’t about me. It’s all about Lena….’

The thoughts that the Holy Knights and Priests were having as they looked at the dying Lena. He could guess even without hearing them directly.

-Good riddance.

-It’s better that she died.

-It’s a fitting end for someone who colluded with Demons.

-It’s a shame. We should have made her suffer more.

These are the general thoughts of people about those who have colluded with Demons.

People in the Holy Kingdom, who have a great hatred for Demons, might even have worse thoughts.

But Jade had no right to blame them.

‘I was… like that too.’

Because that was no different from the attitude Jade had towards Lena until a few minutes ago.

“The Hero. Everyone is looking at you. You must think about the responsibility that the name of The Hero carries.”

“Please….”

Jade covered his face with both hands in anguish.

He knew. He knew, so he couldn’t make a decision.

People would judge him based on this choice.

Whether this generation’s Hero would be swayed by personal feelings and save a Sinner who colluded with Demons. Or whether he would be someone who could make the right choice for the sake of humanity.

If he chose the former, countless stories about The Hero would emerge. The Hero’s status might plummet endlessly.

If he chose the latter…

Jade looked at Lena, who was in his arms.

She had been quiet since earlier, as if she didn’t have the strength to speak anymore. The faint breath she had was getting weaker and weaker.

‘…Ha. What am I even hesitating about?’

-Gritting.

Jade clenched his teeth and made a decision.

“Sir Daniel.”

“Yes.”

“Please heal Lena with Divine Power right away.”

From the beginning, people’s gazes didn’t matter.

If everything was a lie, to show mercy as The Hero.

If everything was true, to undo his mistakes even a little.

It was too late, but… Jade chose Lena.

“I will take all the responsibility.” So please, I beg you.”

“If that is The Hero’s will… I understand.”

Daniel reluctantly reached out and began to infuse Lena with Divine Power.

“You can stay still.”

In that state, Daniel moved Lena, who had been in Jade’s arms, and laid her on the floor.

“First, I will remove the sword.”

With Daniel’s touch, the sword stuck in Lena’s stomach was pulled out.

Immediately, a tremendous amount of blood was about to gush out from the wound, but

-Whoosh.

Daniel cleanly blocked it with Divine Power.

As if showing the tremendous healing power of Divine Power, Lena’s complexion quickly returned, and the wound slowly but surely began to be filled in.

“Haa… Thank goodness. Thank goodness.”

The moment Jade let out a sigh of relief. A loud shout was heard from behind.

“Please move aside for a moment! Jade!”

Jade’s heart sank at the familiar female voice.

‘No way.’

Why did she have to come now?

Jade turned his creaking head and looked back,

“Hah, hah…. Jade, I’ll tell you everything as it is.”

Annie, who had appeared out of nowhere, was bending over and breathing roughly.

“…Annie.”

“Jade, listen to me. First of all, Ian is….”

Annie, who was trying to explain something to Jade, stopped talking and tilted her head.

Lena lying on the floor and Jade trembling.

She realized that the situation was strange.

“Ja, Jade? Lena is collapsed, is she alright?”

Annie was gradually approaching where he and Lena were.

Jade closed his eyes tightly and clenched his fist tightly.

‘If Annie sees this….’

He wanted to hide this situation right away. But there was no way there would be such an easy way.

Eventually, Annie came to Jade’s side, and

“Lena?!”

She screamed at the sight of Lena collapsed with a hole in her stomach.

Annie bent down and hurriedly began to check on Lena’s condition.

“Wh, what should I do? Is she okay?”

“You must be Annie, The Hero’s companion.”

“Who… are you?”

Annie, who was seeing Daniel for the first time, looked at him warily for a moment. But she soon realized that Daniel was healing Lena and relaxed her guard.

“Nice to meet you. I am Cardinal Daniel. You can rest assured that I am healing her with Divine Power.”

“That’s really a relief.”

-Thud.

Annie, who had collapsed on the floor, grabbed her chest and began to take deep breaths, as if she couldn’t shake off her shock.

“Haa…. I thought Lena was dead. Jade, what happened?”

“….”

“Could it be… did people stab Lena to subdue her?”

Annie glared and stood up abruptly, holding the Wand she had been holding. And she pointed the Wand at the people around her.

“Are you crazy? You guys are….”

“…did.”

“What?”

Annie asked again, as if she hadn’t heard Jade’s small murmur properly.

“Annie, I stabbed Lena.”

-Clang!

The Wand that Annie was holding fell to the floor.

“I, did I hear wrong just now?”

“….”

“Jade!”

Annie rushed at Jade and grabbed him by the collar with both hands.

-Grip.

“Ugh?!”

“Quickly! Tell me I heard wrong!”

Annie was furious with Jade. Even so, her face looked like she was about to cry at any moment.

“Th-That….”

Jade couldn’t say anything and hung his head.

It was natural. Because he stabbed Lena.

There was only one thing he could say to Annie.

“I’m sorry.”

“How… how could you stab Lena….”

Annie began to sob with her face buried in Jade’s chest.

“Sob… what are we going to do with Lena now…. You bastard….”

“…I swear I didn’t mean to stab Lena. Lena took the hit instead when I lashed out at Ian….”

“I, Ian?”

“It’s the first time you’re hearing this, but Ian is someone who came from the Magic Tower. It’s hard to explain the whole situation right now. Soㅡ”

-BOOOOOOOOOOM!

“Ugh….”

Jade slowly got up in a daze.

‘What on earth happened?’

All he remembered was being suddenly hit by an impact and flying away without even having time to react.

Jade hurriedly looked around to grasp the situation.

“Quickly, heal the injured!”

“Re-establish the formation!”

“Vice-Captain! The Barrier has been broken!”

“Wh-What? How could the Barrier….”

Everyone was in a state of confusion, as if they had been caught off guard by an unexpected attack.

“Wait a minute… Lena?”

Jade looked at the spot where Lena had been just a moment ago, but she had disappeared without a trace.

‘No way.’

The time she had been healed with Divine Power wasn’t long. Her life was in danger if she was left unattended like this.

He had to find Lena as quickly as possible and start the treatment again.

Jade forced his staggering body to get up and began to look for Lena.

And he was able to find Lena faster than he thought.

“Jade, are you looking for this?”

Jade turned his head to where the voice came from.

There, Ian, whom he had forgotten for a moment, was standing proudly. And Jade’s eyes widened when he saw the person in his arms.

It was Lena, whom he had been desperately searching for.

“Ian! You bastard!”

“Well, I admit there was a mistake in the process. I can’t believe I had to suffer such humiliation. It’s the first time I’ve damaged my pride to this extent.”

“Stop talking nonsense and give Lena back right now!”

Jade began to run towards Ian, furious.

Then the stone in Ian’s hand began to emit a red light.

-BOOOOOOOOOOM!

“Ugh?!”

A vortex swirled around Ian once again and pushed Jade away.

“Give her back? That’s ridiculous. You already abandoned her when you stabbed her with a sword, didn’t you?”

“Th-That was a mistake. It’s all… it’s all your fault!”

Jade poured out words mixed with resentment towards Ian.

Come to think of it, all of this was Ian’s fault.

If he hadn’t escaped from prison with Lena. If he hadn’t provoked him.

This would never have happened in the first place.

“Ian, if it weren’t for you, this wouldn’t have happened!”

Ian shook his head in disbelief.

“Ha. You’re still busy blaming others until the end. It’s also ridiculous that you still don’t know why I did this.”

Suddenly, a blue light began to envelop Ian and Lena.

‘No, could it be…?’

Even Jade, who didn’t know much about magic, could tell what it meant.

Warp.

Ian was trying to escape somewhere with Lena.

“I’ll take this poor woman for now. I hope she’s at least a little more sane when we meet again.”

“No! Give Lena back right now!”

Jade picked up a sword from the floor. And he charged madly towards Ian.

-KWAHHHHHHHH

Once again, a storm of mana blocked his path.

“Something like this!”

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

Jade began to forcibly break through the storm with the Hero’s Power.

The deeper he dug into the storm, the more wounds were carved into Jade’s body.

But Jade didn’t feel any pain.

‘Faster. Please, faster!’

He only had the thought that he couldn’t lose Lena again.

Was it Jade’s will that shone?

Before he knew it, Ian and Lena’s figures were right in front of Jade’s nose.

“Just a little more!”

He swung his sword vertically, shattering the last remaining wall of mana.

That’s it. Now all I have to do is get Lena back!

“Ian, right…”

-Thud.

Jade couldn’t continue speaking and collapsed to the ground.

“Le…na….”

Only dust was swirling in the place where Ian and Lena had been.